Deep beneath the sea, in the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea.
The palace stood magnificent and imposing, its roof tiled in golden glaze that shimmered with dazzling light.
Pearls were embedded all across the tiles, each one smooth and gleaming like snow, illuminating the entire Dragon Palace as brightly as day.
Two dragons coiled atop the roof, forged entirely from gold. Their golden scales glittered as if they were about to soar into the clouds, ready to burst out of the water at any moment.
The palace stretched across ten thousand mu, a display of astonishing luxury.
Ao Guang secretly sized up Sun Wukong. He saw the monkey staring fixedly at the palace, eyes wide with shock and shining with excitement. He sneered inwardly:
Just as I thought. He's a country bumpkin who's never seen the world. He must be gawking at my Dragon Palace like a fool!
Little did he know that although Sun Wukong's eyes were fixed on the palace, the abacus in his mind was already clacking away.
"Good heavens! This Dragon Palace is even more magnificent than Old Sun imagined!"
"Just the Night Pearls on the roof must number over a million! Old Sun's taking every last one!"
"And those golden dragon statues, all gleaming and bright—they're coming back with me too!"
"Jade coral, Night Pearls, agate, gemstones... They're all mine! Not a single thing left behind—I'm hauling the lot back to Flower-Fruit Mountain!"
The more Sun Wukong looked, the happier he became. The abacus in his mind clacked faster and faster!
Ao Guang watched it all, assuming the monkey was an ignorant bumpkin, stunned by the Dragon Palace's gilded splendor!
"Immortal, this way, please. The banquet is ready," Ao Guang said with a smile.
"By all means, by all means."
Sun Wukong cupped his hands, his monkey eyes darting around.
The tables were laden with delicacies and fine wine: amber-colored liquor, cups of green jade, and dishes so fragrant and artfully arranged they looked like paintings.
Music filled the air, accompanied by the clear chime of bells, as if they were in the Heavenly Palace.
"This Dragon Palace is loaded!"
"Even the tableware is made of gold, jadeite, and precious jade..."
Sun Wukong gazed at the golden goblets and jade platters on the table, then suddenly slapped his forehead and muttered to himself:
No, wait. All of this will be Old Sun's in a minute! Old Sun's!
I'm taking it all. Not a thing left behind!
After three rounds of wine, Ao Guang put on a show of generosity. He clapped his hands, summoning a squad of soldiers who carried in a Nine-Pronged Fork.
"Immortal, this fork was forged from Netherworld iron. It's called the Nine-Pronged Fork and weighs three thousand six hundred catties. It's no ordinary weapon. If you like it, please take it."
Sun Wukong hefted it briefly. It was merely an ordinary Spirit Artifact—not worthy of his notice, but just right for the Red-tailed Macaque Monkey.
"Thank you, Dragon King."
Sun Wukong cupped his hands.
A glimmer of delight crossed Ao Guang's eyes. This monkey really was an ignorant bumpkin. Just wait until he saw the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron—he'd be so excited he wouldn't know what to do!
Before long, a carp general led another squad of soldiers in, carrying a Sky-Splitting Halberd.
"This weapon was forged from the essence of earthfire. It weighs seven thousand two hundred catties and can pierce anything!"
"If you like it, Immortal, take it!"
Sun Wukong hefted it once more. This one was a little better, reaching the level of a low-grade spiritual treasure. It would be just right for the Long-armed Ape Monkey.
Seeing Sun Wukong accept two treasures in a row, Ao Guang was extremely pleased. He thought the monkey was ignorant and easy to fool. Once he saw the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron, he'd be utterly amazed!
As the banquet drew to a close, Ao Guang finally revealed his true purpose:
"Immortal, my Dragon Palace has another fine treasure, hidden beneath the depths of the Netherworld Sea. Only honored guests may see it. If you're interested, I can take you to have a look."
Sun Wukong's thoughts stirred. He knew Ao Guang was about to offer him the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron!
Though he knew this was part of a Saint's scheme and a Buddhist plot, Sun Wukong didn't care in the least.
He'd fall out with the Heavenly Court and Tathagata sooner or later, anyway!
A good treasure was there for the taking—why pass it up?
Sun Wukong followed the old Dragon King deeper beneath the sea. They reached its greatest depths, where a pitch-black iron pillar stretched across their path. Hundreds of meters thick and a hundred thousand zhang tall, it rested heavily within the sea eye.
Ao Guang said solemnly:
"Immortal, take a look. This is the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron, used by the Human Emperor Yu when he tamed the floods. Grand Supreme Elder Lord later refined it in his furnace for forty-nine days, and it then guarded the Eastern Sea for millions of years, becoming a top-grade acquired merit spiritual treasure. It is now called the Ruyi Golden Cudgel and weighs thirteen thousand five hundred catties."
Ao Guang tried his hardest to sell it, afraid the monkey wouldn't recognize its worth.
Sun Wukong walked around the pillar and examined it. It seemed utterly ordinary, and he muttered inwardly:
That's it? I don't see anything special.
He reached out and touched it lightly.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
The dust vanished from the iron pillar, and golden light erupted in a torrent. In an instant, the seabed shone as brightly as daylight.
Words appeared on the black iron:
[Ruyi Golden Cudgel, weighs thirteen thousand five hundred catties]
"Hmm, pretty good. It's just way, way too thick and way, way too big."
As soon as Sun Wukong finished speaking, the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron began to grow thinner and shorter.
"A little shorter, a little thinner."
The cudgel shrank and narrowed a bit more!
"Thinner. Shorter."
After several more adjustments, it finally became an iron rod about as thick as a bowl and three feet long, floating quietly before him.
"This cudgel can grow big or small, thick or thin!"
"It changes however you want—so incredibly versatile!"
"What a treasure! What a treasure!"
Sun Wukong chuckled and praised it several times, but made no move to take it.
Ao Guang, standing nearby, grew so anxious that he hurriedly urged him:
"Congratulations, Immortal! This treasure is meant for you. Please, you must take it!"
A teasing smile appeared at the corner of Sun Wukong's mouth. He narrowed his monkey eyes and said:
"A good monkey doesn't take what someone else loves. This is the Dragon Palace's most prized treasure. How could Old Sun take it? I've seen the treasure, so I'll be on my way..."
As he spoke, he turned to leave.
Ao Guang was horrified. He hurriedly grabbed Sun Wukong's sleeve and cried out:
"Immortal, wait! Treasures belong with heroes. If this divine iron stays in the Dragon Palace, it's no better than scrap metal. Only in your hands can it truly shine!"
"Dragon King, you jest. Old Sun's had too much to drink today. I'm going back to rest!"
"You're a peerless divine monkey, Immortal! If you're going back, take this iron cudgel with you!"
"Old Sun's no woman. What would I do with a cudgel?"
"If you have no use for it, you can take it back for your wife!"
Deep beneath the sea, a dragon and a monkey tugged at each other. One insisted on giving the treasure, while the other firmly refused to take it.
Ao Guang was now as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Sun Wukong had happily accepted those two pieces of scrap metal earlier. Why was he refusing to take the real treasure?
Could the monkey have seen through the scheme?
With a troubled look, Ao Guang braced himself and said:
"Immortal, you must take the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron with you today, no matter what."
At that, Sun Wukong's eyes darted around. He stared at the old Dragon King until Ao Guang began to feel uneasy, then said slowly:
"Ao Guang, I treated you like a neighbor, and you're playing tricks on me!"
"Have you had too many peaceful days, old Dragon King? You actually dare scheme against Old Sun?"
At those words, Ao Guang trembled all over, even his whiskers quivering.
"What do you mean, Immortal? How would I dare scheme against you?"
"Hmph!"
Sun Wukong sneered and grabbed Ao Guang by the collar, his killing intent surging.
"Ao Guang, I've even dared to kill two Bodhisattvas from the Buddhist sect!"
"You're just a little dragon at the late Grand Unity Golden Immortal stage. You think Old Sun can't kill you?"
As he spoke, Sun Wukong began to drool.
"I've never tasted Dragon Meat at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal level before!"
"Tell me, would it taste better steamed or braised?"
Before you continue